Posts by splash

IDA Ireland has said that an AI-enabled workforce is critical to transforming Ireland’s enterprise base and supporting future investment in the country. The agency has published its latest Labour Market Pulse report in collaboration with Microsoft and LinkedIn. The research, entitled ‘Unlocking the Future: Ireland’s Prosperity with Generative AI’, is focused on artificial intelligence skills…

The global IPO market began the year on a cautiously optimistic note, according to analysis by EY, with activity declining in volume in the first quarter of the year, but increasing in value. 287 initial public offerings (IPOs) to the value of $23.7 billion were launched in the first three months of 2024, the report…

The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) will consider whether to make any changes to interest rates at a meeting in Frankfurt later today. But markets are not anticipating any alterations at this point, despite steady falls in eurozone inflation. Analysts do expect though that the ECB will begin trimming rates back from…

The World Trade Organization said today that global trade should rebound this year from an unexpected slump in 2023, but warned that regional conflicts, geopolitical tensions and economic policy uncertainty risked darkening the picture. In its annual trade forecast, the WTO disclosed that world trade volumes unexpectedly declined by 1.2% in 2023. That downgrade was…

New figures from the Central Bank show that average mortgage rates in Ireland rose to 4.29% in February from 4.27% in January. The euro zone average mortgage fell for the third month in a row to 3.91%. Today’s Central Bank figures show that Irish mortgage rates are currently the seventh highest in the euro zone,…

In the entrepreneurial journey, building a venture that not only survives but thrives in the competitive market landscape is paramount. A pivotal element in this endeavour is enhancing the business valuation, a metric that reflects the company’s worth and attractiveness to investors, buyers, or partners. This article from KAAS explores essential strategies entrepreneurs can employ…

Euro zone banks lowered the bar on mortgage approvals last quarter for the first time in over two years but demand for credit kept falling amid high borrowing costs and a stagnant economy, a European Central Bank survey showed today. The ECB has pushed interest rates to record highs to rein in inflation, bringing bank…

The Supreme Court has ruled that guidelines on personal injuries awards voted into force by Ireland’s judges three years ago are legally binding and remain in force. In what was a complex but historic decision in relation to personal injuries awards, a seven-judge court dismissed the bulk of issues raised in an appeal brought by…

60% of people would turn down a job if it did not offer hybrid working, new data shows. The latest Cpl Salary Guide reveals that 66% of those surveyed currently avail of hybrid working. Almost 40% said that flexible and remote working provides a better work-life balance and increased job satisfaction. “We see from this…

In the complex tapestry of modern commerce, small businesses find themselves navigating through a maze of challenges and opportunities alike. Amidst this, KAAS know that financial benchmarking emerges as a lighthouse, guiding enterprises towards operational excellence and strategic growth. This article delves into the essence of financial benchmarking and unveils its pivotal role in sculpting…